BOISE – Air quality continues to slowly improve across the Treasure Valley. 

KTVB

DEQ has issued a Stage 1 Air Quality Alert for the Treasure Valley.

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality is lifting the Stage 1 air quality alert for the remainder of today and overnight for the following counties: Ada, Canyon, Owyhee, Payette, Gem and Elmore.

The Stage 1 Alert remains in effect for the following counties due to very high PM 2.5 concentrations still present in those counties from wildfire activity - Valley, Boise, Washington and Adams.

The Red Alert issued for Ada and Canyon Counties remains in effect.

A Red Air Quality alert is also in effect as well for these areas meaning sensitive groups such as the elderly, people with asthma, and small children are encouraged to limit prolonged exertion and stay indoors when possible today.

Heavy smoke from local and regional wildfires is contributing to very high levels of PM 2.5.   Air pollution levels are now well above an Air Quality Index of 100, which means all open outdoor burning is prohibited in the Treasure Valley by municipal and county ordinance.

The air quality is still a concern for local schools. Boise schools say they will keep all students inside again today during the school day. That means no outside recess, and no outside physical education classes. Meridian schools keep children with asthma or breathing problems inside today.

High school football games and soccer games will be play as scheduled tonight.

The Boise School District plans to have a doctor, athletic trainers and EMT's at each football game and athletic trainers at each soccer game. 

If a parent/guardian has a concern about their child playing football or soccer, they can request that their child not play and they will not be penalized. 

Junior high school cross country and junior high tennis matches have been canceled for today. 

With regard to outdoor athletic practices, the Boise School District is limiting both junior high and high school outdoor athletic practices to no more than one hour today.

Also, the YMCA has decided to delay the opening of soccer season and lacrosse season by one week because of the poor air quality.

The opening will be next Saturday and run one week later into the season. This impacts YMCA teams all over the Treasure Valley.

Today's air quality index information can been viewed on the Department of Environmental Quality's Web site at http://www.deq.idaho.gov/air/aqindex.cfm.